Sectional case.



F. H. RAHM.

SECTIONAL CASE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1911.

Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Smaentor F. H. RAHM.

SEGTIONAL CASE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 23, 1911.

1,084,360. Patented Jan 13, 1914.

I 24 2 SH fiETk-SHEET 2. F 51 S,

mum/m witnesses /6 W 01 attorneys COLUMBIA PLANooRAPH co.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

FRANK I-I. RAHM, 0F RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

SECTIONAL CASE.

Application filed November 23, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK H. RAHM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sectional Cases; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in valises, traveling cases and the like, and particularly to improved divisional cases.

The object in view is the arrangement of an improved structure whereby a case may be divided up into parts or sections for independent movement, or be connected to gether and form a single case.

A further object of the invention is the arrangement of an improved locking structure for connecting the sections of a case together, said structure comprising means for simply latching the two sections together, and means for positively preventingthe latching structure from becoming unlatched.

lVith these and other objects in view the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the sections of the case separated for independent movement. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view approximately on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4c is an enlarged detail fragmentary side view of a locking plate disclosing a pin receiving aperture. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a pivotally mounted catch. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a locking clamp. Fig. 7 is a section through Fig. 4 on line 77.

In constructing or forming a device embodying the invention a receptacle or case of any kind is provided which is divided into a plurality of independent sections. There may be any desired number of sections connected up for forming a single case, but for the purpose of illustration only two are shown. Each section is provided with a grip or supporting handle so that the sections may be independently moved and used in a certain sense as independent cases.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

Serial No. 662,010.

hen desired the two sections may be connected together by interlocking members, and then positively held together by a look ing device which prevents the unlocking of the interlocking members. This locking device is arranged to positively lock the sections against being opened by an unauthorized party.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment of the same is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which 1 and 2 indicate sections of the case. These sections may be formed of any desired material, and in any desired way for defin ing two independent receptacles. Section 1 is provided with a handle 3, and section 2 is provided with a handle a, these handles being preferably of the usual or ordinary construction, though any desired handle may be used. together, as shown in Fig. 1, for forming a. single case an auxiliary handle 5 is connected to the rings 6 and 7 of handles 3 and 4:. This auxiliary handle may be of any desired structure which will permit the same to be connected and disconnected readily from either of the rings 6 and 7.

Section 1 is provided with a plurality of sockets 8 for accommodating studs or pins 9 rigidly connected with section 2. Each of the sockets 8 is provided with a comparatively large aperture 10 merging into a rectangular slot 11 so that the heads of the studs or pins 9 may pass through the apertures 8 and then engage the walls of section 1, while the stems or bodies of the studs or pins are accommodated by the slots 11. In order to properly hold the studs 9 in place a strip of material 12 is secured to the inner surface of the end wall of section 2 into which the respective studs or pins 9 are threaded. To the interior surface of the end wall of section 1 is secured a metallic strip 13 in a similar manner to the way the strip 12 is secured in place. These strips may be secured by suitable rivets or other means for holding the same in place, whereby the ends of the sections will be rigidly braced and supported.

The strip 13 is provided with apertures 8 registering with apertures 8. The apertures 8 are provided with comparatively large openings 10, and slots 11 merging therein, the slots 11 being substantially rectangular, and designed to accommodate the body of the studs 9. The side walls of the slots 11 are beveled at 1 1 and 15 for accommodating the bevels 16 of the studs 9 for causing a drawing action on the studs, whereby the ends of the abutting sections are drawn toward each other more firmly as the bodies of the respective studs 9 move upward into the slots 11 and 11. By this construction and arrangement the sections of the case are interlocked end for end, but the sections will not remain interlocked unless held in that position by a pivotally mounted latch 17 arranged at the top of the case. The latch 17 is loosely journaled on a binding screw 18 which is threaded into an enlargement 19 of the metallic strip 12. The latch 17 is formed with a beveled edge 20 which is designed to engage a metallic plate 21 riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to section 1, whereby section 1 cannot be raised for disengaging the interlocking members arranged on the ends of the sections. The top 22 of section 1 is cut away at 23 for accommodating the latch 17, whereby the latch may be swung into a locked position, and from a locked position into an unlocked position. One end of the latch 17 is formed with a turned up lug 24 provided with an aperture 25 which accommodates a lock 26 of any de sired kind for holding a locking clamp 27 in position on section 2. The locking clamp 27 is formed with a slot 28 for accommodating lug 2st so that clamp 27 may rest against the top of section 2 and permit the depending members 29 and 30 to extend downward a short distance over the sides of the section, the depending members 29 and 30 being rounded at 31 and 32 for permitting the same to be easily applied. In order to limit and control the swinging movement of latch 17 a guiding plate is provided which is riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the top of section 2. This plate is provided with a slot 34 in which the lug or projection 24 of latch 17 moves. This slot allows a free pivotal movement of the latch 17 for substantially a quarter of a turn so as to cause the latch to take either the position shown in Fig. 1 or the position shown in Fig. 2. \Vhen the latch is in the position shown in Fig. 1 screw 18 may be screwed down reasonably tight so that the latch 17 will not move even though the clamping latch 27 is not in position.

In the drawings the sections 1 and 2 have been shown as being connected together end for end, but it will be evident that the locking means may be arranged so as to connect these sections together side by side. Also it will be evident that if desired the case may be divided longitudinally instead of transversely, so that there will be two sec tions the full length of the case. The interlocking means and the positive lock for holding the interlocking means in place will remain the same regardless of the Way the case is divided.

In practical use when the screw 18 is tightened the same will hold the latch 17 in the position shown in Fig. 1, so that the two sections will remain together and may be moved as a single case. However, when it is desired to check the case or lock the same against inspection the locking clamp 27 is placed in position and the lock 26 applied.

IVhat I claim is:

1. In a case, a plurality of sections, means for coupling said sections together, a latch pivotally mounted on one of said sections and arranged to bear against the top of the other of said sections when the sections are coupled together for preventing said coupling means from becoming uncoupled, a locking clamp engaging said latch and spanning one of said sections for preventing said latch from becoming disengaged, and a lock for holding said clamp connected with said latch.

2. In a case, a plurality of sections, means for connecting said sections together, a pivotally mounted latch arranged on one of said sections and engaging an adjacent section for preventing said means from becoming unfastened, a guiding plate for said latch formed with an arc shaped slot, a lug eX- tending from said latch and projecting through said slot, said lug being formed with an aperture therein, a substantially U- shaped clamp formed with a slot, said clamp being arranged to fit over the top of the section upon which said guiding plate is mounted and located so as to cause said lug to project through said slot, whereby said lug and the latch connected therewith are prevented from movement, and an auxiliary lock mounted in the aperture in said lug for preventing the removal of said clamp, whereby said case is locked against having the sections separated.

3. A case of the character described, comprising two sections having complemen tarily formed ends, interlocking means formed on the complementarily formed ends, means for preventing relative lateral and vertical movement of the sections, and supporting means located above the interlockmg means.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK H. RAHM.

Witnesses:

C. A. DURHAM, B. IV. MONTGOMERY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

